Any day at the beach is a day well spent but with a little planning, your beach day can be taken to the next level! Even if you plan to lounge on the beach and do nothing else, there are some basic items you’ll want to have. Check out this list of beach essentials to make your vacation to Naples and Marco Island, Florida heaven on earth.
Beach Essentials
- Reef-safe, ocean friendly sunscreen
- Beach hat
- Polarized sunglasses
- Cooler with snacks or packed lunch, water or other beverages
- Sand toys for the kids
- Beach towels + extra towels or a bedsheet to lounge or spread a picnic
- Baby powder to gently remove sand from tender skin and feet
- Plastic zip top bags for shells, leftover food, and to keep phones from getting sandy
- Portable speaker and your favorite playlist
- Beach chairs
- Umbrella or beach tent for shade, small shovel or garden trowel to secure umbrella in the sand
- Book, magazines, or e-reader
Once you’ve packed the ultimate beach bag, it’s time to find the perfect Naples or Marco Island, Florida beach to lounge the day away. No decision can be wrong when all options lead to sun and sand!
Top Beaches in Naples and Marco Island Florida
Lowdermilk Beach Park
Lowdermilk Beach Park is the perfect place for a family beach day with a duck pond, two children’s playgrounds, picnic tables, concession stand, restrooms, outdoor showers, and more! Parking is $1.25 minimum for first ½ hour – and then $0.25/6 minutes after that; hourly parking is $2.50 per hour.
Naples Municipal Beach and Fishing Pier
A visit to the Naples Pier is a must do for any Naples, Florida beach vacation. The pier was originally built in 1888 and extends a full 1,000 feet into the Gulf of Mexico! Naples Municipal Beach is a ten-mile stretch of gorgeous white sand, plus the beach has a stand of free child-size lifejackets to use during your beach day! Metered parking located nearby or walk from the shops and restaurants on Third Street South and 5th Avenue South in downtown Naples.
Lovers Key State Park
Part of the award-winning Florida state park system, Lovers Key State Park features 712 acres of tidal lagoons, white sand beach, canals, and four barrier islands. Wildlife lovers will want to visit for a chance to see West Indian manatees, bottlenose dolphins, marsh rabbits, roseate spoonbills, snowy egrets, bald eagles, and more. Park admission is between $2 and $8 depending on number of occupants and mode of transportation.
South Marco Island Beach
One of two public beach accesses on Marco Island, South Marco Island Beach is a terrific place to spend the day at the beach! Search for shells, fish from the beach, or kick back with your favorite book. Parking lot and restroom located a short walk from the beach on Swallow Avenue, $8 per vehicle.
Keewaydin Island
Accessible only by boat, beautiful Keewaydin Island is a beach lovers paradise! The 8-mile long barrier island is also the only beach where dogs are allowed in the Naples and Marco Island, Florida area. There is so much to explore with your furry friends in tow!
Tigertail Beach
Birders flock to Tigertail Beach on Marco Island for some of the best bird watching in southwest Florida. Grab a pair of binoculars and keep an eye out for pelicans, bald eagles, falcons, osprey, Wilson’s, piping and snowy plovers, least terns, roseate spoonbills, and more. Amenities at the beach include restrooms, showers, picnic area, volleyball court, playground, and a concession stand. Parking is $8 per vehicle or $1.50 per hour for non-beach parking pass holders.
Dog Beach Park
Plan a fun day trip to Dog Beach Park to play in the sand and calm water with your dog! Located just north of Naples in Bonita Springs. A maximum of two dogs per person allowed, free parking, doggie showers, and disposal stations available.
Clam Pass Beach Park
Clam Pass Beach Park is one of the most popular beaches in the Naples, Florida area and for good reason! Head out on a half-mile walk along the Clam Pass boardwalk, lounge on a 3,200-foot stretch of pristine white sand, or take a guided nature walk from the Conservancy of Southwest Florida. Parking is $8 per vehicle.
Beach at Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park
Rated one of the best beaches in the United States, the beach at Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park is not to be missed! In addition to a gorgeous beach, there are a wealth of water activities to explore including swimming, scuba diving, kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, and fishing. Admission is $2-$6 depending on occupancy and mode of transportation.
Vanderbilt Beach
Located close to area hotels, restaurants, and shopping, Vanderbilt Beach Park is a popular beach destination in North Naples, Florida. It is an excellent spot in the summer where the breeze keeps you cool! As with many beaches in the area, opportunities for shelling and birding are plentiful. Skip the parking and take the Naples Trolley Tour to reach this beautiful white-sand beach, otherwise parking is $8 for non-beach parking permit holders in the covered garage.
Bonita Beach
Bonita Beach park offers 2.5 acres of beachfront recreation and easy access to swimming areas via boardwalks. The park also features picnic shelters, sand volleyball court, and restrooms.
Barefoot Beach Preserve
Nature lovers will appreciate the natural each environment lush with wildlife and greenery found at Barefoot Beach Preserve north of Naples in Bonita Springs. The last undeveloped barrier island on the west coast of Florida, this unspoiled beach is a paradise for beach goers, fishers, and outdoor enthusiasts. There are many access points along Hickory Blvd, parking is $8 per vehicle.
You’ll find more information about Naples and Marco Island, Florida beaches here.
Follow Us on Instagram
